Giving to charity

[Mounds]

This is the post that's gonna get me flambéed. What are your thoughts on giving to charity?

I've read lots of PF material and one thing that comes up consistently is to donate 10% of your income to charity. No one actually says why, they just say to do it. I assume it's because it makes you feel good and you are contributing on some level.

The vageuness of this whole thing causes me to question it. Why should I give 10% of my income to charity? It seems kind of simple to me. Write a check once a year and feel good about yourself. You've done your part.

I do, on occasion, give money to non-profit organizations. I donated $100 last year, 0.001% of my household income . What I did do though is donate around 200 hours of my personal time. I got to do things I enjoyed and made friends.

Soooooo... what are the thoughts on donating? Write a check or go out there and do something? Do nothing?

[James81]

I donate to the Jimmy Fund quite a bit. And recently I made a donation to Doctors Without Borders, knowing that the donation would in part go to helping the situation in Japan (but that it might also be used elsewhere if the situation called for it).

I like the Jimmy Fund because they do loads of research on children's cancer. I figure that's about as noble a cause as any, and I really like their approach and generally feel like the money is going to a good cause.

I don't donate regularly, though. It's usually when the mood strikes me, and the mood strikes me once every couple of months or so.

I would love to get back to tithing part of my income to a worth cause though. I used to tithe 10% of my income to the church, but when I left the church, I stopped. My mom and dad SWEAR that tithing your income has this almost "magical" (they call it "God" ) property of making you more successful financially. As far as I know, I haven't figured out the WHY that is, but I do know that their financial situation went from bleak to having money to do pretty much what they want once they started going to church and tithing. I don't know if there's a "LoA" connection there or not, but I do see the merit in the ole "Give and it shall be given unto you" mentality.

My theory is that tithing your income actually makes you more conscious of your income. It trains you to consistently take a percentage of your income and give it away. This feeds into the abundance mentality (if I am giving something away, it means that I have more than enough for myself and thus *feel* more abundant...relieving the anxiety surrounding not having enough...which causes you to spend more).

I once knew a preacher that advocated an 80-10-10 approach to finances. 80% to bills/whatever, 10% to church/charity, and 10% to savings/investments. That approach is my ultimate financial goal.

[taylor]

The importance of giving is not that you get money back in return, but it makes you not such a selfish troll. If you are too much of a selfish troll, other people can sense it and that's bad for your bottom line besides your happiness/openness. The mindset for wealth is to contribute tangible value to someone else for which they'd be willing to pay.

Kiva - Loans that change lives

When you donate to Kiva, or most micro finance programs, you get the money back and can keep putting it back into the market. I also only donate to female entrepreneur's since they have the statistically best track record for repayment. I approach it like an investment where I want to recoup my initial capital so more people get helped. It's not being used up like a normal charity.

The only other time is when I feel a need to give, like someone looking bad on the street. My heart is my guide. I'd feel bad if I didn't give this guy something, but this other guy I'd feel bad if I DID give him something. This is all unplanned, and I think it defeats the purpose a bit if you had some form of automatic donation or doing it all at once. You need to feel what it's like to habitually give away your wealth, to give selflessly as a part of your lifestyle.

[Mounds]

Lol, I hope you don't think I'm a selfish troll.

My perspective is that I'd rather give away my time than my money. I've been volunteering for years now and I'm thinking about doing some sandbagging this spring. It teaches me something, I meet new people and I see myself making a difference. Something about simply writing a check for 10% seems a bit off to me.

[earthmoonchild]

I learned about donating 10% of my income from the Catholic Church-what James stated. I always felt it was a way you financial support the church; which as an adult I never belonged to.

I donate money every month to organizations that mean something to me personally; some of them I got tired of being bothered EVERY single month with phone calls and paper begging that I stopped donating. I do it because I feel I am giving back to my community in some way. I also give back by donating my time. I believe in whatever you feel is right for to give; money, time, energy, etc.

There is also the believe that if you give it will be returned to you threefold.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Mounds

Lol, I hope you don't think I'm a selfish troll.

My perspective is that I'd rather give away my time than my money. I've been volunteering for years now and I'm thinking about doing some sandbagging this spring. It teaches me something, I meet new people and I see myself making a difference. Something about simply writing a check for 10% seems a bit off to me.

That sounds even better.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by taylor

That sounds even better.

So I'm going to go ahead and assume that you believe I am selfish. What's the big deal?

Here's what I could do. I could go to work and send a monthly cheque to my favourite charity. In my spare time, I could lay on the couch and watch American Idol. At the end of the year, I get a "feel good" credit in the mail, which I can claim on my taxes... you know... to get 60% of that money back... hurrah!

What I fully expected to be a valid alternative is to donate other things. I am not inspired in the least to donate money. Money is boring and it's easy come, easy go. I'd rather donate food, my skills, presents at Christmas, my time, stuff like that. That inspires me. Don't get me wrong: if a child comes to the door with a Unicef box, I'm not going to say no. I just didn't get where the 10% donation thing came from (an apparent rollover from the church).

I like the approach of earthmoonchild. Do what inspires you.

[Andrew Brunelle]

It always depends on which charity you are donating to. There are some "charities" that spend more money paying their "employees" than actually spend on helping the people that they are supposed to be helping. Some only use around 1-5% of their donations to help people. So just make sure it is a good charity, not a charity that is a scam and only wants to pocket your money given in good faith. That's what happened with that whole Haiti thing. Most of the money never made it to Haiti. I first got suspicious when GW Bush said, "Don't send them anything. Just give money." That being said, I didn't donate to any American charity, but instead donated to a Haitian charity.

It is great to share your wealth with others who do not have it, but charity can only go so far. Eventually the people you are giving to are going to have to pave their own way, but it is still good to give because it always comes back to you in various ways.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Mounds

This is the post that's gonna get me flambéed. What are your thoughts on giving to charity?

I've read lots of PF material and one thing that comes up consistently is to donate 10% of your income to charity. No one actually says why, they just say to do it. I assume it's because it makes you feel good and you are contributing on some level.

The vageuness of this whole thing causes me to question it. Why should I give 10% of my income to charity? It seems kind of simple to me. Write a check once a year and feel good about yourself. You've done your part.

I do, on occasion, give money to non-profit organizations. I donated $100 last year, 0.001% of my household income . What I did do though is donate around 200 hours of my personal time. I got to do things I enjoyed and made friends.

Soooooo... what are the thoughts on donating? Write a check or go out there and do something? Do nothing?

writing a check is easy -giving of yourself is more valuable

[aelle]

Originally Posted by James81

My mom and dad SWEAR that tithing your income has this almost "magical" (they call it "God" ) property of making you more successful financially. As far as I know, I haven't figured out the WHY that is, but I do know that their financial situation went from bleak to having money to do pretty much what they want once they started going to church and tithing. I don't know if there's a "LoA" connection there or not, but I do see the merit in the ole "Give and it shall be given unto you" mentality.

Steve had a post about it a few years ago. His theory was that if you give a fixed percentage of your income to a cause you truly believe in, your motivation to contribute more to this cause will make your income (and therefore the money that percentage represents) increase.

It's an issue I am exploring myself. I come from a culture that gives very very little to charity (where most of the welfare work is done by the State), and I am now living surrounded by big donors. I decided to try to give back more this year, in whatever form feels appropriate, and so far it has meant participating in a few fundraiser parties (2 for animal shelters, one for funding musical education and concerts for underprivileged children). I have put aside some of my March income to donate towards Japan (looking into charities now) and will participate in April's worldwide vegan bake sale.
Finding a cause each month has been a time-consuming process, but an interesting one too. For a first experience of charity I prefer not to automate donations and to purposefully choose to donate each time.

[aelle]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

It always depends on which charity you are donating to. There are some "charities" that spend more money paying their "employees" than actually spend on helping the people that they are supposed to be helping. Some only use around 1-5% of their donations to help people. So just make sure it is a good charity, not a charity that is a scam and only wants to pocket your money given in good faith. That's what happened with that whole Haiti thing. Most of the money never made it to Haiti. I first got suspicious when GW Bush said, "Don't send them anything. Just give money." That being said, I didn't donate to any American charity, but instead donated to a Haitian charity.

It is great to share your wealth with others who do not have it, but charity can only go so far. Eventually the people you are giving to are going to have to pave their own way, but it is still good to give because it always comes back to you in various ways.

Well, it is true that it's difficult to get individually sent supplies to a disaster stricken area (no roads, difficult transportations, difficult communication....) and all the more so when it's a different country where customs might complicate the task. But it's true that the aid for Haiti has been a complete disaster, with a huge amount of donations funnelled into political or religious lobbying, actually destroying the local culture and providing no material help - see this depressing article on the topic.

Charity Navigator - America's Largest Charity Evaluator | Home is a good website to help you choose a worthwile organization.

I agree with you that charity can only achieve so much. This is why I believe in supporting both charities, politicians who are committed to providing more official, institutionalized help for those in need, AND using my professional skills in a way that is socially meaningful.

[Cran]

On giving 1/10:
This is actually a command out of the Old Testament, so strictly speaking, no Christian is required to tithe, but it is encouraged in many communities.
This goes back to Abraham giving the priest-king Melchisedec 1/10 of everything he "earned" during war (Gen 14,18-29), and later, Jacob did make a similar promise to God.
Generally, most religions do have the command to support their clergy and the poor, but most do not give specific numbers. It is entirely possible that the number ten or the tenth piece has a symbolic meaning we have ceased to be aware of today, that wouldn't be the first time when Jewish writings are concerned.

I do not donate, I used to volunteer but not out of my concern for the cause but for a point on my resumee. I am a selfish troll!

[Weena]

I tried volunteering locally and it did not work out (red cross never answered their phone, wilderness society wanted volunteers to commit to 6 months no less, no way since I was in my first pregnancy, and an other local flora/fauna thingie gave me the job the "record the wildlife I see in my garden monthly" in other words "you don't have a uni degree to be part of our group but you know, tell us what's in your garden if that amuses you"...when I was actually offering my help to get our beautiful mountain weeded).

Since then I've had two kids and don't leave the house much so volunteering is off the table.

So I donate, since I can not go and help with two kids in tow. To give you an other perspective on the ones who "just write off a check".

[GranDiosa]

I love giving...whenever I can, I give....sometimes a lot..sometimes not that much. I also volunteer.

I do it because it makes me feel better....makes me feel part of the whole.

x

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Mounds

So I'm going to go ahead and assume that you believe I am selfish. What's the big deal?

No, I think what you're doing is great.

[LostMyMap]

Originally Posted by Mounds

I do, on occasion, give money to non-profit organizations. I donated $100 last year, 0.001% of my household income . What I did do though is donate around 200 hours of my personal time. I got to do things I enjoyed and made friends.

Soooooo... what are the thoughts on donating? Write a check or go out there and do something? Do nothing?

I think both are good. Every non-profit I've been involved with needs both lots of money, and lots of volunteer time. If you want, you can assign a value to your time.

Take your annual income and divide by 2000. That gives you a good thumb rule for what you earn per hour. So if you made 100,000 last year, you were averaging 50 per hour. So 50 times the 200 hours is 10,000, which, conveniently, is 10% of 100,000. (200 is 10% of 2000. Cool how that works, eh?)

So, in effect, one could say that 200 hours of volunteer work is roughly equal to 10% monetary donation.

[Michael Chui]

Giving 10% when you know exactly why you're doing it and you know what it's accomplishing is ideal.

Giving 10% because it makes you feel good is acceptable, but not ideal.

Not giving at all is just lame.

Also, from The evils of Charity,

Originally Posted by Michael Chui

Charitable institutions, such as welfare, divorce the link between the generous person and the needy impoverished. This is social indirection. Charity on the street, where you give to a homeless person, divorces the cause from the effect. This is temporal indirection.

Indirection, social or temporal, is bad because it makes your generosity blind. A person should not be charitable towards a particular group of people without getting to know them first. This investment is the first charity, and paves the way for the second charity: acting to change their circumstances, in concert with them, leveraging the resources you have available to you to do it.

This in no way negates the validity of being charitable in the form of donations. Instead, givers should recognize that they are not being charitable: they are instead supporting charities.

[Justin Mazza]

I believe that charities are businesses in themselves and the people that work there want to keep their jobs.

My idea would be to start your own charity based on sound principles and integrity or donate your time and energy to whatever cause you choose to.

Don't forget that a good portion of your taxes pays for entitlements to other people which is a type of charity in itself.

I donated money one year to several Native American Charities. What happened as a result was that I got spammed by about twenty new Native American Charities that I had no interest in contributing to.

I only donate to local causes like animal shelters, fire department, and ambulance services and the occasional homeless guy on the corner.